The Black Mothers' Breastfeeding Association (BMFA) is a non-profit organization that is committed to reducing racial disparities in breastfeeding and supporting Black families. BMFA was founded in Detroit MI (2007). BMBFA serves families via direct service, education, advocacy, and maternal child health tech initiatives.

Amazing Service:

• 2,000+ families served
• 450+ Doula-supported births
• 300+ Breastfeeding Club Gatherings

Black & Breastfeeding Leadership Institute

I had the honor of participating in the Third Cohort of the Black & Breastfeeding Leadership Institute. The Black & Breastfeeding Leadership Institute is a national leadership development program. The goal of this program is to advance community-level leadership for racial justice and equity in maternal-child-health. My participation in this program was made possible by a scholarship from The National Institute of Children's Health Quality. Thank you NICHQ.

• About the Birth & Breastfeeding Leadership Institute

After nine-months of intense course work, mentorship, peer-to-peer support, and project work, my cohort mates and I graduated on August 7, 2024. To celebrate and honor our hard work, we each selected a song an empower song for our pinning ceremony.

• Rhythm Nation by Janet Jackson is my social justice/health equity empowerment song (See lyrics below).

"Thanks to BMBFA I was able to reflect on my 17 years of healthcare experience. With guidance and support, I was able to think through my leadership philosophy and create a leadership doctrine. I also updated biography. My proudest BMAFA accomplishment is the creation of my digital portfolio. Working with the Black Mothers' Breastfeeding Association has life-changing."- Amanda Rostic, MPH

What I Believe as a Leader

The Black & Breastfeeding Leadership Institute created a safe space for me to develop my philosophy as a leader. I believe that access to safe and equitable health care is a human right. When marginalized populations lack access to safe and equitable healthcare, their human rights are being violated.

My leadership philosophy: Collaborating with community can be a powerful and impactful way to create sustainable equity. Communities often know what they need to achieve optimal health and thrive.

I believe that bidirectional education flow between communities and healthcare institutions is a path to innovate and elevate all standards of care. Everyone has the right to live their most healthy life. By Creating Awareness, Uplifting Narrative, and Educating Communities we create a pathway for everyone to exercise their unalienable human rights.

How I Share My Narrative with the World: My Biography

Okay, I am going to be super honest and vulnerable here: I almost never had a standard bio that I could access when needed. Whenever a person or a job required a bio, I would scramble to quick make one. I always said I would get around to making one, and just never did. I am very grateful that the Black & Breastfeeding Leadership Institute required me to create a bio. Now I have a standard that I can easily access, share, and be proud of.

"My Resume is Real Enough for Two Millenniums.."- Kendrick Lamar

I am so grateful to have participated in Cohort Three of the Black & Breastfeeding Leadership Institute. I was tasked with creating a Digital Portfolio.

I was immediately excited about this assignment because I KNEW I needed a way to showcase my cool projects and experiences. Creating and now having a digital portfolio has elevated my experience when sharing my work.

Thank You BMBFA, this entire experience has elevated not only my leadership skills, it has elevated my mindset for what is possible on my leadership journey.

Resources

Black Mothers' Breastfeeding Association

AR Digital Portfolio

Q&A: Sen. Erika Geiss and Kiddada Green, Founding Executive Director at Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association, on outlook for Michigan’s newly enacted doula Medicaid policy

Michigan Matters: Herman Moore Teams Up To Help Detroiters

Local 4 News at 4

Michigan's breastfeeding networks educate parents, address disparities, advocate for parent rights

Rhythm Nation-Janet Jackson